German

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The German major provides students with the knowledge, experience, language fluency, and analytical skills necessary to incorporate German culture and German studies into the career. The major offers a large selection of courses in literature, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, history, film, and business, along with opportunities to study abroad.

Students are challenged to gain fluency in the German language, read works by major German thinkers in their original language, and venture abroad to German-speaking countries to embrace new cultures. The German undergraduate program provides students with the language fluency, cultural knowledge, academic experience, and analytical skills necessary to attend graduate school, enter the job market, and be global citizens who are culturally aware and critical thinkers

Additional Options 

  • Already have an intended major? Consider adding German as a second major or minor.
  • To declare the German major or minor you must successfully complete GERMAN 2.
  • Students can enroll in upper division German courses taught in English while they are starting to learn the language.
  • The department also offers GERMAN 1-4 during the summer.

Please contact the Undergraduate Advisor for more information.

Amplify Your Major

  • Showcase your German skills through cabaret performance in GERMAN 102A.

  • Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.

  • Immerse yourself in German language and culture with study abroad.

  • Enroll in the GERMAN 113 Capstone Project and work with a faculty member to synthesize what you have learned in the major.

I loved that no matter what German class I was in, the content was presented in a relevant and succinct way that somehow always connected to current events and topics.
Madison Erdall, class of 2019

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Administrative, Ekso Bionics

  • Administrative, Goethe Institute

  • Bundestag Intern, DAAD

  • Customer Service, Deutsche Bank

  • DOI/VISTA, National Park Service

  • Fulbright Fellow, U.S. State Dept.

  • Inside Sales, Applied Spectral Imaging

  • Manager, Wondfo

  • Ops.s Research Analyst, Roberts Capital

  • Sales & Business Dev., Oracle,

  • Translator, Amazon

  • Translator, Buchenwald Memorial

  • Translator, Facebook

  • Translator, Google

Graduate Programs

  • Astronomy, Masters

  • Business, MBA

  • Chemistry, Masters

  • Comparative Literature, PhD

  • Education, PhD

  • Elementary Education, Masters

  • Foreign Language & Literature, MA

  • German, PhD

  • International Relations, Masters

  • Law, Doctoral

  • Linguistics, PhD

  • Medicine, MD

  • Public Administration, Masters

  • Public Health, Masters

  • Secondary School, Masters

  • Social Work, Masters

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit german.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Students can reach the Undergraduate Advisor in 5311 Dwinelle Hall or at germanic@berkeley.edu.

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.